Group of Five power rankings: UAB, Marshall, Coastal rising in Week 2
Old Dominion shocks college football fans with Week 1 Virginia Tech upset
LW: Not ranked. 15. player. Sun Belt. Old Dominion Monarchs. 2396. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
Old Dominion defeated Virginia Tech 20-17
What a way to ring in their first game as members of the Sun Belt conference! The Monarchs catapult themselves to No. 15 in my Group of Five college football power rankings after upsetting Power Five opponent Virginia Tech.
Hokies QB Grant Wells, who had a prolific career at Marshall before transferring to Va Tech during the offseason, threw 4 INTs in the game. Old Dominion managed to win the game despite not scoring their first offensive touchdown until there were 33 seconds left in the game. Not even coaches getting stuck in an elevator mid-game could delay the inevitable— Old Dominion pulled off an incredible win and their fans stormed the field after the game to celebrate.
Toledo defeated Long Island 37-0
The Rockets get a big win against an FCS opponent, shutting them out in the process. Toledo’s defense did a great job of limiting Long Island’s offense, allowing just 68 passing yards and 45 rushing yards for the entire game.
Louisiana defeated SE Louisiana 24-7
The Ragin Cajuns were able to cruise to an easy win over FCS opponent SE Louisiana in Week 1. Newly named starter Chandler Fields looked sharp, completing 13 of his 20 passes for 173 yards and 2 TDS. WR Johnny Lumpkin looks to be a favorite target for fields, turning two of his five receptions into touchdowns.
Marshall defeated Norfolk State 55-3
No Rasheed Ali, no problem for Marshall, who cruised to a massive 52-point blowout over Norfolk State in Week 1. The star running back took a leave of absence from the team in August, according to reports. His backups, Ethan Payne and Khulna Laborn established themselves as worthy successors while he’s gone. They rushed for more than 100 yards each, totaling a combined 215 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns.
San Diego State lost to Arizona 38-20
The Aztecs, with the rape allegations of three former players still at the forefront of things, were not able to unseat Pac-12 foe Arizona in Week 1. Beyond that, SDSU needs to get things sorted out with their passing game, having completed just seven passes between two quarterbacks for a total of 62 yards against the Wildcats